Big George, CKKT-30
- Artist:
- Pooley, Emil
- Price:
- $ 4000
- Size:
- 38"
- Stock ID#:
- CKKT-30
- Status:
- In Stock
Sometimes amazing things happen in the course of a day at Toh-Atin Gallery. For the past several months, we have been selling a selection of outstanding Native American artwork, including jewelry, rugs, pots and Kachinas that was the property of Catherine Katona. Catherine was a famous dealer in Santa Fe for over twenty years, and her shop on the Plaza, The Kiva, was known by collectors from around the world. Catherine passed away about eight years ago, and we were selected this spring to sell her collection. Among the unusual pieces in the collection was a large Ogre Kachina (or Katsina, which ever you prefer) doll that stands 38 inches tall, including the feathers. Not your typical doll! This was the name that Catherine used to refer to this carving made from the traditional cottonwood root. It must have been a big tree! We never knew why and had no idea if the doll was actually carved by a Hopi. In fact, we were a little nervous about referring to "Big George" as a Kachina. Then one of our favorite carvers, Chester Polyestewa, walked into the gallery with some of his dolls and said, "So that's what happened to Emil's doll." When asked to explain, Chester told us that in 1963 he was going to the Hopi Shalako dance and stopped by Third Mesa to get Emil Pooley to go with him. Emil was carving this large Ogre. Chester said that Emil told him he only carved the one, and it was for Catherine Katona. "How did he remember it was 1963?" we asked. He explained that unlike the Zuni, who have a Shalako Dance every December, the Hopi space theirs out with many years in between. It is held only for initiating members to the clans. He remembers because 1963 was the year they held it, and it was important to attend. Did he know why the name "Big George" was associated with the doll? "Emil had a son named George, and he named the doll after him in a joking way." So, there you have it. Another mystery solved. Emil Pooley was a Hopi carver from Third Mesa who died in 1980. "Big George" now means a lot more to us. He's looking for a new, permanent home, and at $4,000.00, he's a value! Give us a call and we can talk about the adoption process.
